Flashlight suspension



May 18, 1948. POWELL 2,441,902

I FLASHLIGHT SUSPENSION Filed Nov. 19, 1945 o /5 a. Q A? fair I /Z a 74' z 3mm J Z'PweZZ Patented May 18, 1948 UNITED STATES FATE or sani iiil'fifuiifiififi D. 0.

Application November 19, 1945, Serial No. 629,454.

'1 Claim.

This invention relates to flash lights.

An object of this invention is to provide in a flash light structure means for suspendingly car- 'rying the structure, said means being of an extensible character whereby the structure may be carried in a hand or supported from the neck of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a suspension means for a flash light which includes a flexible member, and spring-pressed winding means fixed to the flash light housing for the flexible member so that the latter can be extended or retracted as may be desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a flash light striicture, an extensible bail so that the flash light structure may be carried in a selected position.

To the foregoing objects, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the ,scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a flash light structure embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a detailed rear elevation of the device with the bail or suspension member retracted,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, 7

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a detail rear elevation of a modified form of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I designates generally a flash light structure embodying a housing I I within which batteries are positioned for energizing the light bulb I2. The light bulb I2 is controlled by movement of a switch I3 which extends from one side of the housing I I.

In order to provide a means whereby the housing II may be suspendingly carried from either the hand or neck or other position, I have provided a flexible suspension member or bail I4. The suspension member I4 has one end thereof fixed as at I to the rear wall of the housing II. The suspension member I4 is extended along the rear wall of the housing I I and is then looped and slidably mounted through a guide I6 fixed to the rear of the housing I I. The suspension member I4 is wound on a spring-pressed drum or reel ll.

which is rotatably mounted in a winding drum housing, generally designated as I8.

' The housing I8 includes complementary telescoping housing members I9 and within which the reel or drum I1 is rotatably mounted. A hollow shaft 2I is carried by the housing I8 being crimped, as at 22, at its outer end to hold the complementary housing members I9 and 20 together. The reel or drum II includes an inner plate 23, which is formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth 24. A ratchet pin is loosely mounted through a pair of slots 26 formed in the hollow shaft or stud 2| and is fixed to a releasing pin 21 loosely mounted in the hollow shaft 2| and extending from one end thereof. A spring 28 engages about the hollow shaft 2| and bears against the pin 25 so as to constantly urge the ratchet pin 25 in looking position with respect to the ratchet teeth 24. An elongated spring 29 is disposed in a barrel 3!] formed with the reel or drum I1, being fixed at one end to the hollow shaft 2| and fixed at the other end to the reel or drum IT. The flexible member I4 is extended through an opening 3|, which is formed in the housing I8 and then passes loosely through the guide I6.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is disclosed a modified form of this invention embodying a pair of reel or Winding members I81; and I8b which are fixed to the rear wall of the housing Ila. A common flexible suspension member I4a is connected to the two reel members la and I8b being extended loosely through guide members Ifia fixed to the rear of the housing Ha. I

In the use and operation of this flash light structure the extensible bail or suspension member I4 may be slightly extended above the top of the housing I I so that the suspension member I4 may be grasped, in one hand for carrying the flash light structure in a hand. The housing II may be disposed at any desired distance below the hand by merely pulling the flexible member I4 upwardly thereby unwinding the flexible member I4 from the reel I1 and at the same time tensioning the spring 29. The ratchet pin 25 will releasably hold the reel I! in any extended position of the suspension member I4. If it is desired to extend the suspension I4 a substantial distance from the housing II to dependingly support the flash light structure from the neck the suspension member may be extended, as shown in Figure 1. By supporting the flash light as shown in Figure 1, the user may have the free use of both hands while obtaining the desired light from the fiash light. The suspension member I4 may be made from an elongated metal strip having a de- 3 4 grce of resiliency or may be formed from fabric or other flexible material. 7 REFERENCES CITE-D What I claim is: The following references are of record in the In combination, an article to be supported, a fi e O this Patent! 7 flexible bail for suspendably supporting said ar- 5 FOREIGN PATENTS hole, and a palr of spring actuated take-up reels, 7 each having secured thereto one end of said bail, Number Country Date said reels carried by said article and secured 173,146 Canaday 10, 1917 thereto, whereby said article may be readily and OTHER REFERENCES ad'ustabl ositioned on the erson of a 'user or a v- "V corivenierfil? mounted at vari us selected heights 10 Sclentlfic Amencan, Flashrule July 1942 of a support x l v Rages and. 35.

JOHN THOMAS POWELL. 

